Jadeveon Clowney, the star linebacker drafted first overall by the Houston Texans last year, was on Tuesday absorbing the news that his father has been charged with attempted murder following a shooting in a South Carolina bar.
The news came as sources said the Houston running back Arian Foster is set to miss the first six games of the NFL season with a groin injury, for which he will probably need surgery.
Clowney was said to be “highly upset” after family members told him of his father’s arrest. Police in Rock Hill, South Carolina, said David Morgan, Clowney’s father, allegedly fired shots outside a strip club in the town after an argument with an employee.
Morgan was charged with attempted murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime and will be in court for a bond hearing at 8am Wednesday, the Rock Hill Herald reported. Morgan is currently in custody.
Attempted murder carries as much as 30 years in prison. Weapons charges carry up to five years.
“He will be treated the same as any defendant charged with a crime in York County criminal court,” said Kevin Brackett, a 16th circuit solicitor. Police recovered two guns from the scene.
Clowney is currently on the Texans’ inactive list, as he recovers from microfracture surgery on his knee. He is scheduled to come off of that list and be activated on 17 August. He missed most of his rookie season though injury.
Foster pulled up with a groin injury during a pass play on Monday night, and did not return to the field. He is expected to be missing for some weeks. The running back could be placed on short-term injured reserve, which would allow the Texans to bring him back to practices after week six and into a game after week eight.
Foster has rushed for more than 1,000 yards in four of his six seasons in the NFL, and is a four-time Pro Bowler.
